What are the legal disputes between Nigerian communities and Shell about?

The lawsuits against Shell stem from decades of pollution that have devastated local livelihoods in Nigerian communities. Community leaders argue that Shell has a moral obligation to compensate for the destruction caused by its operations, which have contaminated water sources and agricultural lands throughout the Niger Delta region. Shell claims it is not liable for spills caused by third-party actions, though it has acknowledged an obligation to compensate victims in cases where the company is at fault. This creates a complex legal situation where affected communities continue to fight for accountability and proper compensation for the environmental damage that has destroyed their traditional ways of life.